Mounting system for comestible fluid dispensing components and accessories

ABSTRACT

A system for mounting accessories attached to a bracket has a vertical mounting panel with downwardly extending upper tabs and upwardly extending lower tabs, where the bracket is fitted to the tabs by a mounting motion where the bracket is placed at entry of the upper tabs, with the bracket overlying the lower tabs, and with a vertical motion the bracket is moved under the upper tabs, and with a reverse motion the bracket is moved under the lower tabs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation from International Application No. PCT/US2008/053330, filed 7 Feb. 2008 under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application 60/888757, filed 7 Feb. 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In the construction of racks for holding and dispensing comestible fluids, efforts have been made to make such racks easy to install and maintain. In addition constructions have been proposed to ease the removal and installation of accessories attached to the rack, such as pumps, valves, and the like.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,768, to Jersey, et al., issued Dec. 28, 2004, is disclosed a comestible fluid rack and rail apparatus. Disclosed is a rack with rails for mounting comestible fluid dispensing components. Comestible fluid dispensing components are mounted upon the rail by a bracket. There is a sliding connection between the bracket and rail so that the bracket is slidable horizontally along the rail to different positions along the rail. The attachment is achieved by having one or more edges of the bracket slidably received within one or more grooves running along the rail. A problem with this system is that when several components are mounted on the same rail that cannot always be individually removed. This is because accessories at the end of the rail have to always be removed before removing or inserting accessories in the middle section of the rail.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Disclosed is a system for mounting fluid dispensing components or accessories to a fluid rack system in a way that is simple to mount the accessory, allows for individual mounting and removal, and firmly holds the accessory in place. This system increases the ease of mounting the beverage dispensing accessories and components to rack systems, and is much less labor intensive.

The present system incorporates the use of vertically oriented holding tabs or tongues, with one or more upper tabs, and one or more lower tabs. These tabs allow components to be mounted directly into place without the use of hardware or tools, and the component brackets do not have to be mounted from the ends of a rail system. Upper and lower tabs are placed opposite each other in parallel, and positioned to allow the upper edge of an accessory panel or bracket to be inserted underneath the upper tabs. As the upper edge of the accessory bracket slides up under the upper tabs the lower edge will clear the lower tabs. After the accessory bracket clears the lower tabs the bracket can then pressed flat allowing the bracket to be slid down into the lower tabs setting the panel into place.

The present system contrasts with the prior-art systems where accessories and components are mounted using hardware such as nuts and bolts or screws, or are mounted using slide rails where all accessories must be mounted into the rails from the end and slid to a center point on the rails. Components can be easily installed and removed without the use of tools. In addition, accessories and components can be mounted and removed individually. Unlike slide rail systems, it is not necessary to remove other components to remove or mount an additional component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting panel showing upper and lower tabs.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view an accessory bracket that is mountable upon the mounting panel of FIG. 1

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are perspective views showing the mounting of the bracket of FIG. 2 onto the mounting panel of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a rack assembly modified with tabs for use as mounting panel.

FIG. 5 is another view of a rack assembly modified for use as a mounting panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example

Reference is now made to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a mounting panel 101 with two downwardly extending upper tabs 103 and two upwardly extending lower tabs 105. The mounting panel is vertically oriented, and the tabs are spaced and dimensioned to allow mounting of a mounting bracket for attachment of an accessory. The mounting panel 101 can be affixed to or be an integral part of any suitable vertical surface upon which a user wishes to mount an accessory. Such vertical surface include structural or other members of an equipment rack, separate mounting panels attachable to a suitable surface or structure, vertical walls of a structure or container, and other such vertical surfaces.

Basically a mounting panel is any vertical area with the tabs, which is suitably configured, and is sufficiently flat and with suitable orientation for mounting of brackets, as further described. The tabs can be manufactured and formed by any suitable method.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2. Shown is a mounting plate, or bracket 201. The bracket or base plate shown is essentially the same as mounting brackets used in prior-art systems where accessories are attached to the bracket and the assembly mounted by sliding an upper edge 203 and a lower edge 205 of the bracket horizontally onto a dual rail system.

The present system for mounting these same brackets functions in a different way by mounting the brackets with a vertical motion that eliminates the problems of a sliding rail system, with the bracket supported at upper and lower edges 203, 205. These brackets are structurally suitable for the present system, and are commercially available. Many of the commercially available brackets have a configuration that is suitable for use in the present system without any modification to the bracket. It is also contemplated that brackets can be modified or new brackets custom manufactured for the present system.

The bracket has attachment structures 207 for attaching an accessory to the bracket. Thus the accessory is mounted by means of the bracket, which attaches to the accessory and is mounted on the mounting panel. Brackets can be optionally reversible, i.e., with the upper edge becoming the lower edge and visa versa. This can allow for choice of a more optimum orientation of the attachment structures and the accessory mounted to the bracket. Such a reversible bracket is illustrated in the figure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The upper and lower tabs 103, 105 on the mounting panel 101 are constructed to allow a bracket edge 203, 205 to be slid vertically underneath the tab for distance corresponding to the distance between the respective ends 107, 109 of the upper and lower tabs 103, 105 and the respective backs 111, 113 of the tabs. The vertical distance between ends 107 of the upper tabs and the ends 109 of the lower tabs is less that the distance between upper and lower edges 203, 205 of the bracket. In addition, the length of a tab, i.e., the distance between the end and back of the tab is longer for the upper tabs 103 than for the lower tabs 105. In addition, the vertical distance between the back 111 of the upper tabs and the end 107 of the lower tabs is larger than the distance between upper and lower edges 203, 205 of the bracket. This construction allows for mounting of the bracket by vertical motion without tools.

Reference is now also made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. In FIG. 3A, the mounting of the bracket 201 is started by placing the bracket with its upper edge 203 near and below the ends 107 of the upper tabs 103, which is at the entry into the upper tabs. Because of the above described dimensions, the bracket 201 overlays the lower tabs 105, with the lower edge 205 of the bracket below the ends 109 of the lower tabs 105.

In FIG. 3B, the bracket is then moved by a upward pushing motion under the upper tabs 103 so that the upper edge 203 of the bracket moves toward the back 111 of each of the upper tabs 103. With the bracket in this position, the lower edges 205 of the bracket can clear the ends 109 of the lower tabs.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the bracket can then be pushed flat against the mounting panel 101 with the lower edge 205 of the bracket above and near the ends 109 of the lower tab, which is the entry into the lower tabs.

As shown in FIG. 3D, a vertical downward motion of the bracket then moves the bracket so that its lower edge 205 enters the lower tabs 105 to the back of the lower tabs 113.

The length of the upper tabs 103 is sufficient long such that the upper tabs still hold the bracket after the bracket is pushed fully down into the lower tabs 105. Accordingly the bracket 201 (with any attached accessory) is secured to the mounting panel 101 by the lower and upper tabs 103, 105. The bracket and mounting panel are oriented generally vertically because gravity in-part maintains the bracket in the lower tabs, and inhibits the bracket from migrating up out of the lower tabs. Accordingly, by “vertical” is meant that the mounting panel with tabs need only be sufficiently vertical for gravity to so function. Other orientations other that this vertical orientation may also be suitable as long as the bracket is secure in a mounting position, either by the force of gravity or optionally an additional holding system.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bracket may have bosses 213 near the respective upper and lower 203, 205 edges, and the upper and lower tabs 103, 105 are constructed to extend around or between these bosses. The tabs can be dimensioned and configured to fit between such bosses, attachment structures or other structures on the bracket. The figures show rectangular tabs, but other shapes may be used, particularly if it is desired to closely fit or interact with the structures of a bracket. For example, the tabs may be dimensioned or configured to fit close to a boss or bosses to inhibit any sideways play or movement of the bracket. In the illustrated example, the bracket has a boss that extends between the two upper tabs, and a boss that extends between the two lower tabs, which inhibits such a sideways motion.

In the above example, there were illustrated two upper tabs in vertical alignment with two lower tabs. However, based upon the size and construction of the mounting panel, one or a multiple of upper and lower tabs can be used. In addition, for the upper tabs to work together as described above, upper and lower tabs may be directly opposite one another in vertical alignment, or upper and lower tabs my be in a displaced or staggered relationship. Furthermore, the tabs need not all be of the same width. There may also be the same or different number of lower and upper tabs. For example, two upper tabs may be in a staggered placement opposite three lower tabs, or visa versa. Likewise, one single upper tab may be in a staggered placement opposite two lower tabs, or visa versa. In such an instance, the single tab may be wider to increase its holding ability.

Furthermore, tabs may of sufficient width to function in mounting two adjacent brackets. In like manner, a single upper tab and a single lower tab can be of sufficient width to mount two or more accessory brackets. In this example, an accessory may be mounted in any position along the width of the tab. In this and other exemplary systems, the tabs and/or the bracket may optionally include structure to prevent sideways sliding motion (perpendicular to the mounting motion) of the bracket. A similar example would comprise upper and lower tabs closely spaced to function like wide single tabs, but the spaces between the tabs could then cooperated with structures on the brackets to inhibit sideways motion.

Optionally, the several upper and lower tabs may be spaced evenly, which allows the user to choose which set of tabs and position on the rail to mount the accessory. For example, any single upper and lower tab, or adjacent pair or more of upper and lower tabs may be used, depending upon the desired location of the accessory. In addition, tabs may be of differing or same width.

The tabs my be constructed by any suitable method, for example, by lancing and forming from sheet metal, molding, welding or adhering tabs to a surface. In addition, the tabs may be constructed of any suitable material, such as, for example, steel, engineering polymers, and the like. As an example, the tabs can formed in sheet metal (e.g. steel) in the configuration of lanced and formed louvers, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

What is important is the construction of one or more upper tabs with one or more lower tabs to permit the above described mounting motion, and also to permit the holding the bracket with sufficient firmness to allow a secure mounting of the accessory attached to the bracket.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate some exemplary variations. FIG. 4 shows an equipment rack 131 with horizontal members or rails 133 modified with tabbed mounting panels. Shown as examples are two upper tabs 103 a opposing a wide lower tab 105 a, two upper tabs 103 b opposing two wider lower tabs 105 b, a wide upper tab 103 c opposing two lower tabs 104 c, single upper and lower tabs 103 d, 105 d wide enough to accommodate multiple mounted brackets anywhere long their width, and staggered upper and lower tabs 103 e, 105 e where single or multiple brackets can be mounted anywhere along the tabs, using one or more upper and lower tabs.

FIG. 5 is rack modified with an added vertical panel 135, a modified horizontal member 133, and a modified vertical member 137. Shown are four upper tabs 103 f opposing a wide lower tab 105 f where one or more brackets can be mounted in different positions along the lower tab, four upper tabs 103 g opposing three lower tabs 103 g that provides two mounting positions, with the center lower tab being shared by both positions, and two upper tabs 103 h and two lower tabs 105 h. 

1. A mounting panel system for mounting an accessory bracket on a mounting rail comprising: at least one downwardly extending upper tab; at least one upper extending lower tab; vertical distance between ends of the upper tabs and the ends of the lower tabs less than bracket vertical distance between upper and lower edges of the bracket; length of the upper tabs longer than length of lower tabs, with the vertical distance between back of the upper tabs and the ends of the lower tabs larger than the bracket vertical distance, the upper and lower tabs disposed to hold the bracket by the upper and lower edges, and disposed to allow a mounting motion where the bracket is placed at entry of the upper tabs, with the bracket overlying the lower tabs, and with a vertical motion the bracket is moved under the upper tabs, and with a reverse motion the bracket is moved under the lower tabs, with the upper tabs sufficiently longer than the lower tabs to hold the bracket after the bracket is moved under the lower tabs.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one upper tab has a different width than at least one lower tab.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of upper tabs of the same width.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of lower tabs of the same width.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of upper tabs, with at least one of a different width.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of lower tabs, with at least one of a different width.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein one or more upper or lower tabs is adapted to simultaneously hold the edges of two or more brackets.
 8. A method for mounting an accessory bracket upon a mounting panel comprising the steps of: disposing an upper edge of the bracket near and below ends of a downward extending upper tab, with a lower edge of the bracket overlying and below ends of an upward extending lower tab; pushing the bracket vertically upward into the upper tab sufficient for the lower edge of the bracket to clear the end of the lower tab, so that the bracket can be pushed against the mounting panel with the lower edge of the bracket near and above the end of the lower bracket; pushing the bracket vertically downward so that the lower edge of the bracket is within and is supported by the lower tab, with the upper tab overlying and securing the upper edge of the bracket.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one upper tab has a different width than at least one lower tab.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein there is a plurality of upper tabs of the same width.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein there is a plurality of lower tabs of the same width.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein there is a plurality of upper tabs, with at least one of a different width.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein there is a plurality of lower tabs, with at least one of a different width.
 14. A system for mounting an accessory comprising; a mounting bracket with an upper edge and a lower edge; a mounting panel with one or more downward extending upper tabs, and one or more upward extending lower tabs; vertical distance between ends of the upper tabs and the ends of the lower tabs less than bracket vertical distance between upper and lower edges of the bracket, length of the upper tabs longer than length of lower tabs, with the vertical distance between back of the upper tabs and the ends of the lower tabs larger than the bracket vertical distance. the upper and lower tabs disposed to hold the bracket by the upper and lower edges, and disposed to allow a mounting motion where the bracket is placed at entry of the upper tabs, with the bracket overlying the lower tabs, and with a vertical motion the bracket is moved under the upper tabs, and with a reverse motion the bracket is moved under the lower tabs, with the upper tabs sufficiently longer than the lower tabs to hold the bracket after the bracket is moved under the lower tabs.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein at least one upper tab has a different width than at least one lower tab.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein there is a plurality of upper tabs of the same width.
 17. The system of claim 14 wherein there is a plurality of lower tabs of the same width.
 18. The system of claim 14 wherein there is a plurality of upper tabs, with at least one of a different width.
 19. The system of claim 14 wherein there is a plurality of lower tabs, with at least one of a different width.
 20. The system of claim 14 wherein one or more upper or lower tabs is adapted to simultaneously hold the edges of two or more brackets. 